“Smalltown Nightmares ”

“This is a really charming ray of sunshine in the normally moonlit world of rye: a bit like a world-weary Morrissey or Neil Hannon lamenting smalltown life over a backing that sounds like REM, but with Bryan ferry on electric piano. A perversely funny, touching, 'happily sad' piece of perfect pop. Great tune: a real grower. Verse, bridge, chorus... middle 8... check. Overdiven guitar, check. Steady odd, christopher. If you're not careful you'll crack a smile and write a hit.”